Owning a modern Xiaomi means controlling your gadget’s identity. The unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is a smartphone digital passport that makes it impossible to function properly on cellular networks. Device owners often face situations where they need to check this code against data on a box or system menu to confirm the authenticity of the device.
There are several proven methods to know this number even if the phone is locked or not turned on. It is important to understand that the IMEI is assigned in the factory and theoretically should not change throughout the life cycle of the device, but software failures or flashing can lead to its change or complete loss, which is why knowing how to get it is a basic skill for any Redmi or Poco user.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available options: from the simplest USSD-You'll learn not only to find numbers, but also to analyze them to make sure there are no hidden problems with your equipment. This is especially true when buying used equipment or ordering spare parts, where the exact match of motherboard revisions is critically important.
The fastest way to get through USSD-code
The most versatile method, which works on 99% of mobile phones, including all Xiaomi models, is to use a special command: you don't need Internet access or account login, just having a SIM card or even an emergency call, which is ideal when you need to quickly check the data when you buy from hand.
To perform the operation, open the standard Phone application and enter the combination *#06#. Once you enter the last grille, a pop-up will automatically appear on the screen. If you have two SIM cards installed on your device, the system will display two different IMEI codes corresponding to each slot, as well as the SN code (serial number).
⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware or Chinese versions MIUI The window may not appear automatically, so try pressing the call button after you enter the code, although the system usually reacts instantly.
The data can be copied by pressing the corresponding button on the screen, or simply photograph the display for later comparison. Note that the *#06# code reads information directly from the modem's nonvolatile memory, so it is the most reliable source at this point in time, even if the software shell is unstable.
Search for identification number in MIUI settings
If the phone screen is broken but the touchscreen is partially working, or you just prefer a graphical interface, the information can be found in the system menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of the HyperOS shell or MIUI, but the general logic remains the same. It's a convenient way to not just see the code, but also copy it for sending.
Take the following path: open Settings, then select About Phone. At the top of the screen, where the Xiaomi logo and model name are displayed, you will see the General IMEI bar. By clicking on it or swiping on the logo (depending on the firmware version), you can see the detail for each slot.
An alternative path that is often used in newer versions of Android is as follows: → The phone. → All specifications → Status: This is where all technical information, including MAC-Wi-Fi and Bluetooth addresses, status SIM-The maps and, of course, the hardware ID you're looking for. IMEI It consists of 15 digits, and any error in one digit will make the code invalid.
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Take a screenshot of the IMEI page and save it to the cloud or send it to your messenger, which will help you quickly find the number if the phone gets lost or stolen.
Physical tags: box and body of the device
When your smartphone is not turning on, is in repair, or you just purchased a sealed box, the only source of information is physical media. On the back of most modern Xiaomi models (especially those with a fixed battery) there is a factory label. On older models with a removable battery sticker was located below it.
The device box is the second most important document, and on one of its faces there is always a barcode with printed data, and here you have IMEI, SN (serial number) and P/N (part number), and when you buy a new device in the store, be sure to check the numbers on the box with the ones that are displayed on the screen when you turn on.
| Source | Location. | Credibility | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen (code) | Modem firmware | Tall. | Can be modified by software |
| Settings | System section | Tall. | Depends on the integrity of the OS |
| Box | Factory sticker | Medium | The box could have been replaced. |
| Corps | Back cover. | Tall. | The sticker could have been re-sticked |
It is important to consider that unscrupulous sellers can replace the case or paste a sticker on the box to hide the history of the device. So relying on external attributes alone can not be, you always need a software recheck. If you buy a Redmi Note or Mi series from hand, require the original box as an additional argument in favor of fairness of the transaction.
Decoding the structure of the IMEI code
The fifteen-digit number is not a random set of digits, but a strictly structured code designed for global identification. Understanding its structure helps determine the origin of the device and its basic characteristics. The first 8 digits are known as the TAC (Type Allocation Code).
It's TAC that allows you to determine the model of the phone and its origin. From these numbers, the GSMA database determines whether it's the flagship Xiaomi 13 or the budget Redmi. The next 6 digits are the serial number of a particular instance within a given model. The last one, the 15th digit, is the checksum calculated by the Moon algorithm to verify the validity of the entire sequence.
What is a checksum?
Knowing the TAC, you can easily check whether the seller's claimed model of reality. Often, scammers refashion a cheap clone under the guise of an expensive flagship, changing the displayed name in the system, but forget or can't change the factory TAC. Comparing the first 8 digits to a database is a great way to spot a fake.
Authentication through official services
Once you know your code, it needs to be checked somewhere, and the most reliable way is to use Xiaomi's official website, which provides a service to verify the warranty status and authenticity of the device, which is especially important for users buying equipment on marketplaces or from hand.
Go to the official verification portal (usually available at mi.com/global/verify or through regional support sites) and enter the 15-digit code in the appropriate field, and the system will instantly give you the result: whether authenticity is confirmed, when the warranty was activated, and whether the model matches the entered data.
⚠️ Note: If the official website says “Not found” or “Incorrect” IMEI», It may be that the device was intended for the domestic market in China and has no international registration in the global database, or that it has been a short time since production.
There are also third-party services, such as IMEI.info or IMEI24, which provide more detailed technical information: color of the case, memory, production date, but it is worth remembering that these databases are generated by users and partners, so the information there may be less relevant than the manufacturer.
☑️ Check before buying used Xiaomi
Engineering menu and deep diagnostics
For advanced users who want to access hidden diagnostic features, there is an engineering menu, which is accessed through code ##64663## (CIT), which allows you to check not only the IMEI, but also the operation of all modules: sensor, microphone, cameras and communication networks.
In the Version Information or Hardware Info section, you can find duplicate identifiers, which is useful if standard display methods fail or if you suspect software modifications to the system, where data is read from a lower level, closer to hardware.
Using the engineering menu requires caution. Changing the settings in other sections can lead to malfunctioning of the device, but simply viewing the information in the CI Test or Version section is absolutely safe and gives a complete picture of the state of the hardware of your Poco or Redmi.
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The Engineering Menu is a powerful diagnostic tool that makes sure that the software IMEI matches the hardware-level communication module.
What to do if the IMEI is not readable or is zero
If you see "000000000000000000000000" or "Null" instead of 15 digits, it's a serious problem, most often after a failed flashing, a failure in the upgrade process, or physical damage to the motherboard, in which case the phone can see the SIM card, but it won't register on the network.
If the problem is software, it can help to reset the settings to factory or flash the original stock ROM through the computer (using the Mi Flash Tool utility).It is important to use the version of the firmware that is designed for your regional version of the device to restore the correct calibration data.
In case of a physical malfunction or if the firmware does not work, you will need to contact a service center. wizards use special boxes and programmers (for example, Z3X or UMT) to write factory IMEI in the memory of the device. It is almost impossible to restore the “following” IMEI on modern versions of Android with an encrypted persist partition without special equipment.